Dishwasher



J. J- LILLY DISHWASHER July 28, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 4, 1956 6 James J. Lil/y INVENTOR.

July 28, 1959 J. J. LILLY 2,396,642

' DISHWASHER File d Jan. 4, 1956 r 3 Shets-SheetB Fig. 3

James J. Lil/y INVEN TOR.

J. J. LILLY DISHWASHER July 28, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 4, 1956 INVENYOR. 4016;.

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gl-lll lllllllllll United States Patent DISHWASHER James J. Lilly, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 4, 1956, Serial No. 557,270 7 Claims. 01. 1344s This invention relates to improvements in' dishwashers of the type which are arranged to utilize the water under pressure at the spigot of the kitchen sink or other place in a house or restaurant or other establishment.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a dishwasher which will enable dishes to be washed economically and with ease, the dishes being cleaned and rinsed by the liquid under pressure available at the spigot of a plumbing fixture. p

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an improved dishwasher of the above type, the dishwasher including a receptacle that has an open top and a special closure for the open top, the closure being special in that it is fitted with spray conduits and liquid conductors at the ends thereof which are in registry with liquid conductors in the receptacle, the latter feeding spray pipes in the bottom of the receptacle and also spray nozzles located preferably at the corners of the receptacle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dishwasher which enables the cleansing of dishes in a more effective manner in view of the provision of a soap or detergent chamber between the coupling with the spigot and the points of emission of water from the various spray devices in the receptacle. In this way, the temperature of the liquid may be selected by using the desired mixture of hot and cold water, the mixture possibility being available in the standard sink, whereby the detergent.

or soap is more eifectively dissolved prior to its forcible discharge through the spray devices in the dishwasher for impingement upon the dishes, pots, pans, silverware, and the like which may be accommodated in the dishwasher.

Oneof the features of the invention is the construction of the liquid passageways, that is, they are formed by pipes which are molded directly in the material that constitutes the dishwasher closure and receptacle. This is possible when a commercially available plastic is used as the principal material of construction for the wishwasher. The pipes in this way are not capable of becoming easily bent, this being an important factor in the present dishwasher inasmuch as ends of the passageways in the closure,

and in the side walls of the receptacle are brought in registry in order to conduct liquid from the closure to be receptacle for subsequent discharge into the body of the dishwasher.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structurally improved dishwasher which is capable of being produced at a reasonable cost, the dishwasher being fitted with special wire supports and racks to hold dishes and other articles and also an optionally usable colander having pivotal legs, the colander fitting snugly within the dishwasher.

Other objects and features of importance will become PP foriiis of the invention.

In the drawings: t Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a plumbing fixture, for example, a sink, in which there is a dishwasher made in accordance with the principles of the invention;

arent in following the description of the illustrated Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the receptacle which constitutes the lower portion of the dishwasher of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of line 44 of Figure 1, this view showing particularly the connection between the closure and the receptacle for the conduction of fluid therebetween and the preferred arrangement for connecting one of the spray heads into the fluid conducting system;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1 illustrating the detergent or soap chamber of the dishwasher of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a modified dishwasher also made in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a colander which is to be used in connection with either form. of the invention shown in the drawings; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing that the legs of the colander are pivoted.

In the accompanying drawings, there is a fragmentary part of sink 10 shown, this sink being fitted with well 12. Sink 10 is fitted with the various necessities, such as spigot or valve operating handles 14 together with a water delivery tube 16, the latter being of the type which'discharges a mixture of selected proportions of hot and cold water. The dishwasher 18 is shown in Figure 1, positioned for washing the dishes, that is, with the drain 20 thereof in registry with the drain in the sink well 12. The dishwasher 18 includes a receptacle 22 and a closure 24 adapted to be seated thereon when the dishes are being washed. Liquid under pressure is obtained from the discharge tube 16 by using a flexible hose 26 that is connected to the discharge tube. The opposite end of the flexible hose 26 is fitted over a coupling, for example, sleeve 28 having a head on the outer surface thereof. This coupling is in registry with four radially arranged conduits, two of which are indicated at 30 and 32, re spectively (Figure 2). These conduits extend diagonally across the corners of the rectangular upper panel 34 of closure 24, there being four depending sides of closure 24 that form a skirt 36. Each of the four conduits is provided with a plurality of orifices, as orifice 38. When the preferred materials of construction are used, the closure 24 will be made of plastic. Then, the spray conduits will be embedded in the top panel 34, as will be the coupling 28. i

A chamber 40 is interposed in one of the conduits, for example, the conduit 31, and the chamber is formed by a plastic case 42 interposed in the conduit 31 intermediate its ends. The case 42 has an open top and a frictionfitting closure 44 thereon so that it may be easily removed for the deposit of soap or detergent. When the water is applied to the conduits under pressure, it flows therethrough and passes into and through the chamber 40, thereby admixing with the soap or detergent therein. Accordingly, when the liquid is expelled from the spray conduit 31, it passes through orifices 38 therein together the aligned bores 46 in the material of panel 34 in registry with the orifices 38, in a soapy condition.

Receptacle 22 has four sides Stl, 51,52 and 53, each of which is provided with an upstanding flange 54, 55, 56 and 57 to interfit with a corresponding flange at the lower edge of skirt 34 (Figure 2). This is to provide an effective seal between the closure 24 and the receptacle 22 when the closure is disposed thereon, Lifting handles 58 may be provided on the closure 24, as illustrated in Figure 1, to facilitate the removal of the closure. Altera natively, or additionally, handles 59 and 60 may be at- 3. tached to the receptacle 22 in order to lift the entire unit into and from the sink well 12.

There are a number of pipes in the bottom 62 of receptacle 22. This bottom is integrally joined with the walls 50, 51, 52 and 53 and has an upper surface sloped downwardly toward drain 20. This is to assure that there will be adquate drainage from the dishwasher both while it is in operation and thereafter.

.The pipes 64, 65, 66 and 67 are arranged diagonally across the substantially square bottom 22. They are provided with a number of orifices 68 which open upwardly into the receptacle 22.

There are four spray heads, suchv as those at 73 and 74, in the four corners of the closure 24. Spray heads 75, 76, 77 and 78 are disposed in the lower four corners of the receptacle 22. All spray heads are of similar construction, that is, they include a short length of pipe, a spray nozzle, a coupling connecting the nozzle to the short length of pipe, and means interconnecting the pipe with the liquid conducting system of the dishwasher. In this.regard,.see Figure 4 wherein the spray head 73 includes a short length of pipe 80 that is attached to conduit 30 at its junction with a condiut 81.

Conduit 81forms a part of a vertical passageway 82 that interconnects conduit 30 with spray pipe 65. Passageways 83, 84 and 85 are formed at the other three corners of the receptacle 22 and the closure 24. These latter passageways communicate the remainder of the conduits in panel 34 with the lower spray pipes 64, 66 and 67. Each passageway is constructed identical to that one illustrated in Figure 4. There is a short length of pipe as at 81 in the skirt 36, and a longer length of pipe 88 in the corner of the receptacle, the pipe 88 being in registry with the pipe 81. It is preferred that the upper end of pipe 81 be bevelled as at 89, and that the end of pipe 81 be fitted with a bell or flare 90 which interfits with bevel 89. This forms a tight fit, permitting the water in the system to be conducted therethrough under reasonable pressure without leakage. As shown in Figure 3, the means interconnecting the upper conduits with the lower pipes are embedded in the smoothly flared and built-up corners. In this regard, the pipes in bottom 62 are also embedded for the protection of the pipes, and the plastic extending thereover is formed with a number of apertures, there being one aperture in registry with each orifice 68. p

Inorder that the structure be rigidified properly; a wire frame 93 is embedded in the receptacle 22. In addition to the frame 93, wire means to support dishes, pans, pots, lids and other utensils have portions thereof embedded in the plastic. receptacle 22. Typically, there is a series of wire racks 95 each having a front curved wire, together with right angularly disposed legs 96 and 97 attached to the end of the front curved wire and embedded in the bottom and side wall 52, respectively, of the receptacle 22. A plurality of these racks are attached in the receptacle along wall 52 thereof; Larger racks98 of a similar construction are attached along wall 50 of receptacle 22 and in the lower corner thereof. Other racks or hooks, such as those at 99, are mounted in the wall 51 near the top thereof on which to hook or hold other dishes, silverware, or the like. A number of vertical posts 100 are mounted at the lower ends in the bottom 62. Supports 101 for coffee and teacups are attached at the upper endsof the posts 100 in order to hold the coffee and teacups elevated in the receptacle 22. A plug of the screwor wedge type, such as that '-at 102, is chained or otherwise secured to the bottom 62 ofthe receptacle 22. Itspurpose is to close the drain 20 when found necessary or desirable by the user of the dishwasher. l

' In use, the dishes and other articles that are to be Washed are mounted in the receptacle 22 and the closure 24 is placed thereon. The flexible hose 26 is connected to coupling 28 and also to the water discharge tube 16.

If detergent or soap is desired, some is placed in chamber 40. Then the water spigots are turned on and this drives water under pressure through the conduits, the spray pipes in the bottom of the receptacle, and the passageways which interconnect the spray conduits in the closure 22 with the pipes in the bottom of the receptacle. At the same time, inasmuch as all of the nozzles are interconnected with the water flow system, the water is also discharged over the dishes and other articles in the dishwasher from the various spray nozzles at the eight inner corners of the generally square dishwasher.

After the dishes are washed, the plug 102 may be removed from the drain 20 in order to permit the liquid accumulated in the dishwasher to be drained.

Attention is now invited primarily to Figure 6 wherein there is, a modification of the dishwasher. Here there :is a closure 110, a wire basket 112, and a receptacle 11 4. In essence, the structure and operation of the two embodiments are very similar. The. receptacle 114 has fourwalls 115, 116, 117 and 118, together with a bottom 119. The receptacle is fitted with identical liquidconducting apparatus including spray pipes in the bottom, spray heads in the corners, and interconnecting means for the spray pipes and the spray conduits located in the top panel of closure 110.

Closure has four upper spray conduits with orifices directed downwardly toward the upwardly opening orifices in the base or bottom spray pipes of receptacle 114. There is a slightly different soap and detergent chamber 120 in the top panel of closure 1'10. Chamber 120 is formed in the center of the top panel 122 of closure 110, and has a hinged door or cover 124 thereover. The sleeve-type coupling 126 for flexible hose 26 is attached to the coupling 126. The upper spray conduits in panel 122 are in registry with the chamber 120, whereby, when detergent or soap is placed in this chamber, it is fed into all of the spray pipes and spray conduits simultaneously.

The wire basket 112 has handles 130 and-132 along the upper edge thereof. These handles are the only structural ditferentiations from the array of dish-supporting racks and hooks of Figure 2. All of the racks and hooks and posts, together with the wire frame 93 of Figure 2, are otherwise identical in construction to the wire basket 112. In other words, the receptacle 22 being made of plastic material can be considered to be molded around the frame of wire basket 112, leaving the various racks, posts and hooks to protrude from the inner surfaces thereof in order to support dishes, pots, pains, silverware, and other articles.

Inasmuch as the basket 112 is removable from the receptacle 114, the colander may be substituted when it is found desirable.v Alternatively, the colander 140 may be placed on top of the wire basket when it is rested in receptacle 114. The colander 140 consists of a panel 142 having a plurality of apertures therein. There are inwardly directed recesses at the four corners of the colander so as to fit the built-up and flared corners of the receptacle 114, the receptacle 22, and the closure 110. The colander has four legs, such as leg 144, and each hasa pivot pin 146 at the top part thereof, this pin being mountedin 'a depending bracket 148 on the lower surface of the colander panel 142. By virtue of this construction, the legs of the colander are foldable thereunder not only for storage but also when using the colanderin other capacities.

i The operation of the form of the invention disclosed in Figure-6 is identical to that described in connection with thepreviously discussed embodiment. .1

The foregoing is considered asillustrative only ofthe principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily'occur to those skilled in the art, 'it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed. a

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A dishwasher comprising a receptacle provided with side walls, a bottom and an open top, a closure for said open top, spray conduits connected with said closure, means communicating with said conduits for connection with a source of liquid under pressure, spray pipes disposed at the bottom of said receptacle, liquid conducting means connecting said conduits and pipes for delivering liquid from the conduits into said pipes, said liquid conducting means including first liquid conducting pipes in said closure and having inner ends registered with said means and outer open ends, second liquid conducting pipes in said receptacle walls and having open ends which confront and are registered with said outer ends of said first pipes when said closure is on said receptacle, and a spray head located at each corner of said closure and said receptacle and communicated with said liquid conducting pipes.

2. A dishwasher comprising a receptacle provided with side walls, a bottom and an open top, a closure for said open top, spray conduits connected with said closure, means communicating with said conduits for connection with a source of liquid under pressure, spray pipes in said receptacle and located at said bottom, liquid conducting means connecting said conduits and pipes for delivering liquid from the conduits into said pipes, said liquid conducting means including liquid conducting pipes in said closure, liquid conducting pipes carried by the walls of said receptacle in registry with the first-mentioned liquid conducting pipes, a spray head located at each corner of said closure and said receptacle and registered with said liquid conducting pipes, and a detergent chamber between said liquid source connection means and said liquid conducting pipes.

3. In a dishwasher which includes a closure, a receptacle having walls, means at the junction of said closure walls and said receptacle for interfitting said closure with said receptacle, spray pipes carried by the walls of said receptacle, means for supplying liquid under pressure to said spray pipes and including passageways in said receptacle walls and said closure, each of said passageways including two conductors of liquid, one of said two conductors being carried by said closure and the other of said two conductors being carried by said receptacle walls, means at the junction of said two conductors for interfitting them in order to prevent leakage therebetween, spray heads located in said receptacle and carried by said closure walls at their corners and operatively connected with said spray pipes, said spray heads being directed inwardly toward the center of said receptacle.

4. The dishwasher of claim 3 wherein said receptacle has a bottom, a drain in said bottom, and the upper surface of said bottom being sloped downwardly toward said drain.

5. The dishwasher of claim 3 together with an array of wire supports in said receptacle, said receptacle being made of plastic material with said wire supports embedded therein.

6. The dishwasher of claim 3 wherein. there is a detergent chamber in said closure, and the liquid conductor in said closure is in registry with said chamber so that the liquid conducted therein is required to pass through said chamber in order to accumulate detergent as the liquid passes therethrough.

7. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein there are connecting means between said confronting ends of said first and said second liquid conducting pipes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,114,591 De Laney Oct. 20, 1914 1,209,263 Clauss Dec. 19, 1916 1,624,380 Barker Apr. 12, 1927 1,624,461 Barker Apr. 12, 1927 1,823,583 Biskamp Sept. 15, 1931 2,664,902 Campion Jan. 5, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 524,257 Great Britain Aug. 1, 1940 

